JLR Reveals 2019 Range Rover Sport Plug-In Hybrid Among Other Updates

Jaguar Land Rover announced a long list of updates for the Range Rover Sport, including a plug-in hybrid variant coming next year as a 2019 model, more power for the 2018 model’s supercharged V-8, and new interior and exterior features that keep the SUV competitive.

Land Rover’s First-Ever Plug-In Hybrid

The Range Rover Sport P400e, as it will be badged, combines a 2.0L turbocharged I-4 from the corporate Ingenium engine family with an electric motor and 13.1kWh lithium ion battery, with a combined power output of 398 hp and 472 lb-ft.

Those numbers handily outstrip the base Range Rover Sport’s 340 hp and 332 lb-ft courtesy of its 3.0L supercharged V-6, but they also compare well to the step-up 5.0L supercharged V-8, which produces 518 hp and 461 lb-ft for 2018. In addition to its impressive power and torque output, the P400e also boasts up to 31 miles of all-electric range, courtesy of that 114hp electric motor and lithium-ion battery.

The plug-in features two driving modes. Parallel Hybrid, the default selection, operates the gas engine and electric motor in concert with one another. In Parallel Hybrid, the driver can prioritize battery range using a SAVE function, which prevents the battery’s charge level from dropping below a pre-selected level. On the other hand, Parallel Hybrid also offers a Predictive Energy Optimization function, which uses built-in GPS altitude data to optimize battery use throughout the drive route for the best possible fuel economy.

The other drive mode, EV, enables the vehicle to run solely on electric power for up to 31 miles of gentle driving. That somewhat short range is still likely more than enough for most commutes, allowing most people to enjoy gas-free driving during the week.

Impressively, Land Rover engineers were able to package the plug-in’s electrical accouterment without sacrificing much in the way of interior room. The electric motor is nestled within the eight-speed automatic transmission, while the battery pack is mounted at the rear of the vehicle, underneath the cargo floor. As such, we doubt the P400e will be available with the (mostly useless) third-row seat, turning this Range Rover Sport model into a strict five-seater. What's more, the P400e doesn't seem to sacrifice any off-roadability, with a 33.5-inch wading depth that's identical to that of the rest of the RRS family.

Land Rover says the PHEV can be charged overnight from a domestic plug socket (presumably a 220V outlet). The P400e also offers timed charging, which is ideal for customers who return home in the afternoon but want to delay charging until after peak hours, when electrical rates are cheaper.

U.S. pricing for the Range Rover Sport P400e has yet to be finalized, but in the U.K., the plug-in costs about 10 percent more than its 3.0L supercharged V-6 equivalent. Expect it to be offered in three grades: HSE, Dynamic, and Autobiography, starting at around $77,000 and topping out above $100,000.

2018 Range Rover Sport Updates

While we wait for the plug-in hybrid version to arrive in mid-2018 as a 2019 model, Jaguar Land Rover announced several other updates for the 2018 Range Rover Sport.

Most obviously, the exterior has been altered with slimmer headlamps, a new grille, a new front bumper, and an updated taillight design. Furthermore, the side vents feature a more aggressive design, complemented by a new slotted rear window spoiler. The updates are subtle, but they add up to improved aerodynamics, a more modern visage, and enhanced engine cooling for more reliable performance.

Backing up that performance-oriented look is improved power. The base 3.0L V-6 soldiers on with 340 ponies, while the 380hp version of the engine has been relegated to the HSE Dynamic model. However, the 5.0L V-8 in the Range Rover Sport Supercharged gets an additional 8 hp (518 total), helping it claim a 0-60mph time of 5 seconds flat. The top-dog Range Rover Sport SVR gets a significant power boost from 550 hp and 575 hp, which should only help cement its status as a wild-child super-SUV. Unchanged is the 254hp 3.0L diesel V-6, offered in the SE and HSE Td6.

Inside, the Range Rover Sport now offers some new gee-whiz technology, including a gesture-controlled sunblind. By merely waving a hand near the rearview mirror, the driver can open or close the blind for the panoramic glass roof, a feature that will surely impress his or her passengers. The Sport also now features standard emergency braking, lane departure warning, and a speed limiter, with optional blind-spot monitoring, high-speed emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control, the latter of which features Land Rover’s Queue Assist for semi-automated driving in congested traffic.

Taking a cue from the modern Range Rover Velar, the Sport’s infotainment and HVAC interfaces are now controlled by twin 10-inch touchscreens working in tandem. Two rotary dials pair with the lower unit, helping ergonomics for those who’d prefer to twiddle a physical knob over futzing with a touchscreen.

The updates conspire to give the 2018 Range Rover Sport some added feature content, style, and technology, helping keep the aging platform competitive with redesigned foes like the Porsche Cayenne and old standbys like the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLS. We still love the Range Rover Sport, and these updates make us all the more excited for the nameplate’s future.